Virat Kohli is not playing in the Asia Cup 2018 as he has will taking rest after the hectic schedule of matches. This has left both fans and broadcasters disappointed as he is one of the most loved players across the world when team India is playing. His absence from the ongoing Asia Cup has got the BCCI into a head-on collision with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) after broadcasters Star expressed their displeasure.

BCCI gave a hard hitting reply to ACC and has made it quite clear that neither them or the broadcasters have any say in national team selection matters. Kohli being the skipper of the national team was rested after 84-day tour of England as he was both mentally and physically playing for the team. Virat Kohli also made everyone proud with his figures 593 runs in five Tests against England.Virat was also man of the series.

In an email to ACC Game Development Manager Thusith Perera (in possession of PTI), the host broadcaster expressed their unhappiness, stating how Kohli’s absence will impact the financial aspect of the coverage. “In our view, the announcement of the absence of one of the world’s best batsmen from the Asia Cup, only 15 days before the commencement of the Asia Cup, is a severe dent to us (event broadcaster) and will severely impact our ability to monetise and generate revenue for the tournament,” the email stated.

However, BCCI came up with a hard-hitting reply. “Please note that selection of the best available team for participation in a tournament is the sole prerogative of BCCI,” BCCI CEO Rahul Johri replied to Mr. Perera. “It is not open for ACC or its broadcaster to insist on the selection of any particular player and/or to question the expertise of any selection committee as to which is the best available team for the particular tournament,” Mr. Johri further wrote.

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